Saturday, November 21, 2009

About those edgings

I've been receiving lots of questions about my ornament edgings, so here's how I do them.

Backstitch matching fronts and backs. I always do these over 2 with two threads.

I always start the whipstitching with a loop.

And then you just whipstitch through the front and back stitches. Adding beads every other stitch or every third stitch...or however you want the beaded edging to look. I use Piecemaker size 28 needles, the beads fit right over the eye. (The beads also fit over the John James size 28's too.)

Edgings like this are just without beads (whipstitched through the backstitching.)

When I get to the hanger, I put a small knot in my ribbon or cording, so that the end doesn't accidentally get pulled out.

Then, I weave a stitch or two through the backstitches and ribbon.

And then continue on with the beading.

My last stitch is always stitched through the beginning stitch. And then I thread the needle under the whipstitches and clip the end close.

Ta~Da! So simple, but so effective :)

The top ornament has beads every other stitch. The bottom ornament has beads every third stitch.

Thanks for the great info, Staci, on the ornaments and the washcloths. Of course, the only thing I can still remember about knitting is cast on, knit and purl ... lol. I think I need a refresher course. I haven't tried putting beads on ornament edges, but that'll be fun to try soon.

Your explaining it makes all the sense in the world...I have been doing the bead part for a while, but struggled with the adding of the ribbon or trim...Now I know~~~ Thanks so much for a great tutorial! Faye

Oh, now here's my silly question. I've been whipstitching biscornus and ornies shut for awhile (but never with beads.. one of these days!) and I always worried about knotting the end and pulling it through to the inside of the sewing. Looking at your instructions you don't appear to worry about knotting the end of your thread when you finish.. you just pull it under the previous stitches? And it doesn't pull out?

I think I will love you forever. This was the most frustrating part of finishing for me. =) heh.

This is my first visit to your beautiful blog. I really enjoyed reading back over a couple of months. Wow!! You have some terrific stitching and knitting going on. Of course, I just love the life saver dish cloths, too cool, and really, what a great idea. Heaven help me, I just might have to dig into my yarn stash -- and that hasn't been touched in a few years, but there is a lot of it.

I am so glad to have you joining us for the Christmas Design SAL -- the more the merrier. And next year you just may get one of those big projects that keep hitting you in the eye done in time for Christmas (LOL).

I'll certainly be back to read about what else you're doing, you make it look like such "bliss".

Great tutorial - love your projects. I have a silly question - is the backstitching enough to keep the edges from fraying. Do you backstitch, trin the piece and then whipstitch? Don't laugh but I am confused - seems to me that the edges would fray. Thanks for your help.

Thanks so much for the visual tutorial, Staci! This is the way I finish my ornaments--when I do my own finishing. I could never get the hang of the beading OR the ribbon hanger. Thanks for the help for the visual learners!

Thank you so much for explaining beaded edges--I understand what you meant and now(thanks to you)think I should be able to add this lovely finish to some of my work!! I am new here(Debs' Stitching Corner) and barely started my blog BUT!! have I ever enjoyed 'visiting' other blogs! I love cross stitch and really hope to make some stitching buddies. debs

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About Me

My life is full and busy with a wonderful hubby, a beautiful aquarius, two energetic taurus', an overly friendly airedale, and a very loyal australian cattle dog. And some sort of needlework always in hand.